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Dear Sir,

Just a bit of advice to Mr. Commissiong as to his aspirations of attracting the 'Portuguese' voters in the up-coming election in Paget.

I suggest that he purchase a copy of 'The Evangelical Church of Bermuda' in order to get a better understanding of the residents in Paget Parish of Portuguese origin.

My great-grandfather and his brother established this church in 1890 (quite a few years before the PLP were established), and many of the descendants who resided in that area of Paget have become successful businessmen, professionals and strong members of the Bermudian Community. Most of them came to Bermuda just before 1900 and many others just after the turn of that century. None of them were indentured workers from the Azores - they were immigrants.

Although many of them initially engaged in farming, they all worked for themselves, having invested their funds to purchase such lands.

I continue to be astounded by the complete lack of knowledge of my fellow Bermudians about the history of my forefathers, as these Bermudians are want to include them in what they identify as the 'Portuguese Community'. We are no more a part of that community than is Mr. Commissiong a part of the 'West Indian Community', I would beg to suggest. We consider ourselves as part of the Bermudian Community, full stop.

Victor Garcia

Smith's Parish[[In-content Ad]]

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